They’re also targeting David Bradley in SBOE7. That House list contains some of the biggest chuckleheads in the lower chamber, so whatever hesitation I may have in my enthusiasm there’s no question that a few wins there would do a lot to make it a better place overall. As the Trib notes, in at least one of these races they’ll have some company in opposition.

There’s Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, defending himself in a redrawn district packed with voters he has never represented. The governor and the attorney general and the comptroller have endorsed Christian.

But many of the big trade associations that might normally be with those heavyweights are instead with Chris Paddie, a radio station manager and personality who has also served as Marshall’s mayor. Paddie has endorsements from trade groups for doctors, manufacturers, realtors, law enforcement groups, and even Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, whose Senate district overlaps the House district. While Christian been a reliable vote for social conservatives, the business groups say — for a variety of reasons — they can no longer count on him.

The story also notes that Rep. Beck has “institutional opposition”, though it doesn’t give any details. We’ll see if any of it matters.